Comments for Occam's Razorhttp://occams-razor.info
Insightful essays on subjects trivial and profoundTue, 06 Dec 2016 02:37:56 +0000hourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.7Comment on Election 2016 postmortem, part two by Markhttp://occams-razor.info/2016/11/election_2016_postmortem_part_two.html#comment-97617
Tue, 06 Dec 2016 02:37:56 +0000http://occams-razor.info/?p=7247#comment-97617Your conclusion is dubious and debatable. Given that Clinton lost by only a tiny number of votes nationwide, and the states where she lost were run by Republicans that in general suppressed turnout of Democrats through voter ID and other onerous laws Including Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania, it’s likely that voter suppression itself was the reason Trump won.

Similarly since 2010 when Republicans won a majority of the state houses and governorships, they were able to gerrymander House districts to overstate Republican voters and understate Democratic and moderate voters.

This “success” is at best sleazy and at worst undemocratic and speaks ill of Republicans commitment to true democracy. Rather they want rule of, by, and for the people a lot like them only. They frankly are cowards and won’t allow a free and fair election.

]]>Comment on Election 2016 postmortem, part two by J.A.Friendhttp://occams-razor.info/2016/11/election_2016_postmortem_part_two.html#comment-97550
Fri, 02 Dec 2016 02:17:07 +0000http://occams-razor.info/?p=7247#comment-97550Obama’s legacy of hope and change!
1. A Republican President
2. Republican Vice President
3. Republican control of the Senate
4. Republican control of the House
5. Republican control of 31 state houses
6. A majority of Republican governors (36 of 50)
7. Republican control of a majority of county governments
8. Republican control of a majority of city governments
]]>Comment on The Trump trap, Part 2 by GlobalismvsNationalismhttp://occams-razor.info/2016/10/the_trump_trap_part_2.html#comment-96966
Mon, 10 Oct 2016 07:53:49 +0000http://occams-razor.info/?p=7107#comment-96966At least in the 2nd debate Clinton did not say she’d attack Assad’s forces. She just said we’d get the world to declare Russia and Syria to be “war criminals”. It was actually a plus for her not to be too warlike in front of the US public.

Trump, in the 2nd debate, openly said he would not attack Assad’s forces saying we need to be allied with them and the Russians against ISIS. Trump must look so naive to members of the elite who know ISIS is secretly “on our side” against the Russians and Assad.

But to viewers paying attention, Trump said he would not start WW3 or continue the useless cold war that is so stressful to Europeans and which has driven Russia and China and Iran into an alliance.

]]>Comment on The Trump trap, Part 2 by GlobalismvsNationalismhttp://occams-razor.info/2016/10/the_trump_trap_part_2.html#comment-96952
Fri, 07 Oct 2016 14:53:48 +0000http://occams-razor.info/?p=7107#comment-96952If you want to go into wonkish foreign policy specifics, the war hawk neocons (who back Clinton) have already floated the idea to the Russians of recognizing Crimea in return for getting Donbass “back”.

Trump was not really going off the war hawk reservation at all on that score. Not only that, but it wouldn’t be extreme for any western politician to accept Minsk2. After all, Merkel and Holland forged that deal (which gives Donbass to Russia as well). Trump hasn’t gone as “far” as saying he’s OK with Merkel and Hollande’s deal with Russia. So he sounds pretty hawkish to me.

In fact, when Trump says we should “take the Iraqis’ oil” that’s very in-your-face to the Russians, Iranians, Chinese and Iraqis who probably are not down with that (nor is it legal under international law in any way, shape or form).

So, if you want to play real hardball with the Russians and flout their interests in the Middle East, Trump is your man. It’s just that he would do it forthrightly and honestly by telling them “this is what we’re going to do” and throwing them some bones like something they already have anyway (Minsk2).

This is opposed to the Obama/Clinton strategy of being passive/aggressive with the Russians and Chinese, involving pretending that we stand for the Manichean Good vs their Evil, but getting antsy and angry if one of those other powers bombs ISIS oil trucks or Al Qaeda positions. I mean, what’s up with that?

]]>Comment on The Trump trap, Part 2 by GlobalismvsNationalismhttp://occams-razor.info/2016/10/the_trump_trap_part_2.html#comment-96951
Fri, 07 Oct 2016 14:30:05 +0000http://occams-razor.info/?p=7107#comment-96951Sorry, this is anti-intellectual dishonest drivel. This election is not about racism or sexism as there is no real difference between the two candidates on that score except one wants to use Alinsky tactics and the other mostly doesn’t.

This election is about Globalism vs Nationalism, both of which are dangerous if carried to extremes. And Sanders was anti-globalist before he was paid off, so this is not even a left vs right election.

So you’re saying that open borders and no vetting for Saudis will become the accepted permanent norm if Trump loses? I don’t think so. Clinton will probably put up more barriers and she’ll probably vet more people from terror-supporting countries. The anti-globalist movement will continue into the 2018 elections *in both parties* and into the 2020 election season. The Bushes and Romneys are permanently out. The base will never forgive them anymore than they forgave Romney’s father in the sixties for doing the same thing.

Regarding war with Russia…don’t be so smug about wanting the new Cold War to remain hot. You don’t know the first thing about Crimea. The only way it would be smart of the US to remain enemies with a newly allied Russia-China is if ISIS is really an American black ops organization created to keep Iraqi oil selling for petrodollars in place of US troops whom the Iraqis asked to leave. If ISIS is really a terror threat to the USA, then it’s entirely stupid to have any lack of cooperation with the other superpowers. Period. Maximum cooperation is required if ISIS is what the US government publicly says it is.

About free trade…again we’re talking about fair trade. Admittedly, it’s bizarre for Trump to say Ford can’t produce small cars in Mexico if it wants to (or else face a 35% tarrif) when other countries can build plants in Mexico or otherwise and shouldn’t face such tarrifs, but Trump could keep Ford and Carrier in the USA by reducing corporate taxes and other impediments to manufacturing domestically.

If Trump loses, he will become the main financial backer and a speaker for a lot of 2018 politicians (think incumbent Senators like Flake losing their seats). Think a much more effective version of Ron Paul. Again, there is zero chance of anyone who is now voting for Trump to go back to voting for globalist establishment candidates. Except maybe the strange voters in Wisconsin’s First District who voted for Ryan in his primary or the super weird voters of Arizona who voted for McCain again in his primary. That was strange.

Trump would no longer be in a position where he has to pretend to be nice to the incumbent Republicans now running for Congress (and unfortunately likely to win) because he is now running “with” them.

Remember, the incumbent GOP politicians all voted for TPP and more war. I can now only vote straight Democrat for everyone below the Presidency.

But talking about future politics is only relevant if Clinton doesn’t get us all killed in nuclear war with Russia in 2017. It’s only Obama’s common sense that is keeping us from attacking the Syrian Army right now, although to say Obama is keeping his cool would be to imply that there are a lot of neocons around him who hold equal power to him and who have been putting the pressure on him to act in the first place. There are rumors that the September attack that killed Syrian soldiers was not ordered by Obama but by rogue elements whom Obama couldn’t court martial or fire.

Logically, Obama should have long ago fired anyone in government who ever implied that the US has any business in Syria at all. The American people are overwhelmingly against fighting anyone but terrorists in Syria.

But then we still have a one party system where we don’t have any real say in such matters.

]]>Comment on The Trump trap, Part 2 by knight4444http://occams-razor.info/2016/10/the_trump_trap_part_2.html#comment-96875
Sat, 01 Oct 2016 18:50:13 +0000http://occams-razor.info/?p=7107#comment-96875My friend, I’ve been receiving your post for over a year but you hit a grand slam with this jewel. Trump has exposed this countries racism and shear ignorance! I’ve said for years, 30% or more of americans are hopelessly delusional, so poorly unaware of common sense, not to mention critical thinking skills. Now add some economic issues and TRUMP is their new lily white savior!! I’m truly amazed how easily many caucasians are to manipulate!! HITLER, wasn’t a genius! he just took advantage of the German’s people hate of the other! mix in a crashed economy , WW1 and the recipe is cooking on the stove!!
]]>Comment on Craigslist casual encounters weirdness: August 2016 (Hartford CT) edition by Will Tellulaterhttp://occams-razor.info/2016/08/craigslist_casual_encounters_weirdness_august_2016_hartford_ct_edition.html#comment-96485
Thu, 08 Sep 2016 17:36:33 +0000http://occams-razor.info/?p=6850#comment-96485Hi there. Enjoyed your comments on craigslist (CL) casual sex. I am a polyamorous man in my late 70s in WesternMass with plenty of testosterone, decent “size”, and excellent “function/stamina”. I have been looking for fun on CL for 5 years, especially FWB with ongoing friendships but no strings (NOT for pay). I have had more success putting creative ads on CL than anywhere else. I am a genuine and nice guy, nonsmoker, nondrinker, no drugs, professional occupation, always play safe and tested regularly all clear. I have had some great successes and some periods of 6-9 months with only sporadic action. Persistence pays off. On average, if I post m4w ads every week, I end up actually meeting a woman about every 3 months. Of course I say I’m “60” in my ads — luckily I can pass for early 60s. My successes have ranged from a virgin college student, through women in their 20s, 30s, 40s (several), one in her 50s, one in her 60s. One lasted a full year, several for 4 months, one on and off for years. I insist on meaningful emails and preferably a phone conversation first and I don’t pursue anyone seeming fishy. I have not had any really bad experiences. It has been an amazing and life-affirming adventure!
]]>Comment on Thoughts on Buddhism, Part One by Matthewhttp://occams-razor.info/2009/11/thoughts_on_buddhism_part_one.html#comment-95666
Thu, 14 Jul 2016 01:13:00 +0000http://www.occams-razor.info/?p=1862#comment-95666On a surface level, Pure Land Buddhism may appear to be similar to Christianity, but it came hundreds of years before the birth of Jesus.

There are 84,000 paths to enlightenment, each with the purpose of awakening to the Buddha-nature within.

As a Pure Land Buddhist, when one chants Namu-Amida-Butsu, it is to awaken the Buddha-nature within. Pure Land masters have taught this for centuries.

In the words of D. T. Suzuki, “We find our inner self when NAMU-AMIDA-BUTSU is pronounced once and for all. My conclusion is that Amida is our inmost self, and when that inmost self is found, we are born in the Pure Land.”

]]>Comment on If Aubrey fought Hornblower, who would win? by John Meekshttp://occams-razor.info/2006/03/if_aubrey_fought_hornblower_who_would_win.html#comment-95017
Thu, 09 Jun 2016 17:48:26 +0000http://potomactavern.org/wordpress/?p=494#comment-95017Who can tell who wins in a single ship action between Aubrey and Hornblower in ships of equal strength? Both in their historical fiction worlds are tactical masters and are fated to figure out a way to win their battles by O’Brien and Forester. If I had bet pick the winner I’d go with Aubrey if for no other reason than he carried less psychological baggage and was less isolated from his crew.

I’d certainly prefer to serve under Aubrey. Hornblower was something of a stick and not at all the type of Captain that Aubrey would respect. While both understood the need, as understood at the time, for the Captain to be unquestionably the first and last word as to how a ship would be run and to maintain distance from the crew, Aubrey found the isolation of command to be a regrettable if necessary burden while Hornblower found it psychologically necessary. Aubrey would have respected Hornblower as a good seaman, for his good tactical mind and for his inclination to keep flogging to a minimum but he would have found him to be unnecessarily remote and hard on his officers.

I’ve read both series multiple times and much prefer the Aubrey books to the Hornblower books. Many think O’Brien rambled and needed a more firm editor, which is probably the case, but I like the lulls between the action and the more fully fleshed out character and plot lines. That and the fact that in reading the Hornblower books I often have the urge to smack him upside the head for being such a jerk. In Hornblower’s defense, he was really in need of meds not available at the time. The Aubrey books also have the advantage of having a second very interesting character in Maturin.

]]>Comment on Eulogy for my father by Mehttp://occams-razor.info/2016/02/eulogy_for_my_father.html#comment-92310
Fri, 05 Feb 2016 19:46:16 +0000http://www.occams-razor.info/?p=6601#comment-92310I’m so sorry to hear about the loss of your dad. I read your tribute with great interest because it was so descriptive, it almost felt like I knew him.

I didn’t know that you had PTSD from your mom, this is something I can relate to.

Thank you for sharing. What a beautiful example of a human being your dad was.

]]>Comment on Dying well by aspleniahttp://occams-razor.info/2015/06/dying_well.html#comment-84209
Tue, 02 Jun 2015 14:18:19 +0000http://www.occams-razor.info/?p=6291#comment-84209Aww I’m really sorry to hear this about your dad. No matter the age or even feeling prepared or that he had a good long life, it would never be without grief or mourning. Hope the next few months go as smoothly as possible.
]]>Comment on Spock in charge by Markhttp://occams-razor.info/2013/11/spock_in_charge.html#comment-82274
Sun, 05 Apr 2015 00:53:33 +0000http://www.occams-razor.info/?p=5251#comment-82274Thanks David. Obviously I need to brush up on my knowledge of Hinduism. I am correcting the post.
]]>Comment on Spock in charge by david sklarhttp://occams-razor.info/2013/11/spock_in_charge.html#comment-82269
Sat, 04 Apr 2015 23:56:03 +0000http://www.occams-razor.info/?p=5251#comment-82269Love the post. But you might want to double-check your Hindu theology. Unless I’m reading you wrong, it looks like you may have gotten Vishnu mixed up with Shiva.

If comments are screened, no need to make this public; I just didn’t want the one mistake to mar an otherwise insightful blog post.

]]>Comment on The real price of discrimination by Markhttp://occams-razor.info/2015/01/the_real_price_of_discrimination.html#comment-78346
Wed, 28 Jan 2015 23:38:26 +0000http://www.occams-razor.info/?p=6145#comment-78346Thanks for your perspective Shelley. I have some issues with the Mormon church’s positions on various things, particularly its treatment of gay, lesbian and transgender Mormons, which is not surprising I guess. But I am not anti-Mormon. You may find this post in particular interesting: http://www.occams-razor.info/2007/10/so_whats_the_problem_with_mitt_romney_being_a_morm.html
]]>Comment on The real price of discrimination by Shelleyhttp://occams-razor.info/2015/01/the_real_price_of_discrimination.html#comment-78343
Wed, 28 Jan 2015 20:53:14 +0000http://www.occams-razor.info/?p=6145#comment-78343Just found your blog last week when doing a search for commentary on West Wing. I decided to comment on this post, because I belong to a group that I have a feeling you might automatically “class” in a negative way, based on some of the posts I’ve read — I’m a white, Mormon woman from Utah. However, let me say that I have agreed entirely with this post and actually with most of the posts I’ve read. I believe that when we actually begin to confer with each other as people and compare our human experiences we have far more in common that not. For some reason we tend to classify one another based on the superficial, such as skin color, income level, cultural/regional differences, etc. My grandchildren love the Disney movie “Tangled,” so I have watched with them many times. Best line: “Find your humanity!”
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